STUDYING FOR AN MBA IN THE UK
1. WHAT IS A BRITISH MBA?
In recent years, it has become increasingly
important for managers to have a professional qualification in business
management rather than to rely merely on informally acquired skills. This
has led to an increase in management training in Britain. The British
MBA is a unique, intensive, one year programme whose fundamental aim is
to teach functional specialists general management skills that will
improve their effectiveness on the job.
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Most MBA schools will offer the
following core subjects with some degree of variation : accounting, economics,
finance, marketing, human resource management, organisational behaviour
and quantative analysis. In addition, there will be courses involving
computer literacy and software packages. Some schools offer a refresher
course in basic mathematics. Besides these subjects, there are others
that are usually exclusive to MBA programmes. These include: strategic
planning, operations management, business methods, business law, business
ethics, total quality management and environmental issues.
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courses or electives which usually reflect a core area such as finance
or marketing. Students can choose these courses to suit their own interests
or future career plans.
MBA programmes frequently include
a compulsory company project and sometimes more than one. Many business
schools have in recent years become firm supporters of projects. Projects
also help to get across some of the so-called softer business skills such
as leadership, team working and interpersonal skills that companies and
business schools are increasingly eager to instil in students.
The ability to meet and discuss issues
with practising senior executives is also important. Hearing how companies
have confronted major problems or pushed through significant strategy changes
provides a valuable counterpoint to academic training. Students are given
the opportunity to cross-examine the key players and reach their own judgements.
Needless to say, the more prestigious the school, the higher the quality
of visiting executives is likely to be.
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2. CHECKLIST FOR THE MODEL MBA
There are over 100 MBAs currently
being run in the UK. When selecting the right one for you, you should
look for the following :
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Pre-programme courses on quantitative
methods, computing etc., for students not already skilled in these areas.
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An orientation programme at the start
of the first term to meet other students and members of the faculty, and
for team-building exercises etc.
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Waivers for existing skills (these are
taken into consideration by some schools only).
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A wide choice of electives that allow
specialisation. Appropriate courses outside business schools (for example,
in university departments) should be considered.
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Good international content, for instance,
in course material, the number of foreign students and teachers, visits
to foreign companies, the opportunity for language tuition and exchanges
with foreign schools.
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Reasonable emphasis on soft skills.
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A good range of company projects.
The school should also provide the
following :
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Good teaching skills and research and
library facilities.
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A satisfactory programme of senior executives
as guest speakers, "executives in residence" and so on.
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Open doors to members of faculty.
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An administration willing to respond
to the concerns of international students.
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Formal help with finding accommodation.
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An active network of alumni.
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3. THE TIME FACTOR : FULL-TIME
OR DISTANCE LEARNING
3.1 Full-time programmes
Full-time one year programmes are
the norm in the UK and are therefore extremely intensive, although
some schools do insist on two years. As opposed to the two year MBA offered
in USA, the obvious attraction of one year courses in Britain is that they
take a much shorter slice out of students' careers, the payback on their
investment starts earlier and costs are proportionately lower.
Most one year programmes have adopted
the traditional split between a group of compulsory core subjects and a
set of optional courses, although for some, all subjects are regarded the
same. Virtually all programmes include a mandatory company project, reflecting
the European preference for a close link with practical business issues.
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In Co-operation with:
THE BRITISH COUNCIL
NEW DELHI. INDIA
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3.2 Distance Learning Programmes
Many executives in the UK, and elsewhere
in the world, prefer to continue working while they gain a qualification
rather than face job uncertainty while they study and take a career break.
In India too, the market has seen a large growth in demand for Distance
Learning programmes.
Such courses provide students greater
flexibility, are usually cheaper and often ensure that a student develops
a local as well as an overseas network.
Courses may be available in the `pure'
distance learning mode which rely essentially on home study of specially
prepared course materials, texts, audio / video cassettes and computer
software. Students have flexibility to choose their own schedule, and the
course can be pursued anywhere. Electronic support systems, a personal
tutor per subject at the university and a local mentor who is usually an
alumni and often a senior industry contact are usually provided.
Alternatively, courses may be 'distance
taught'. These include some form of regular attendance and structured group
involvement. Support sessions are regularly held either by visiting UK
faculty or by senior industry tutors,
Part of the course may be done on
campus as a summer school.
These courses are monitored by stringent
quality guidelines and a code of practices on Overseas Collaborative Programmes.
Most Universities ensure that exactly the same programme and standard is
available however the student chooses to undertake his study.
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